Sunday, August 24, 2014

Moving on... on behalf of Tina Downey

On behalf of the Downey family, we want to let Tina's friends and followers know that she went to be with the Lord Saturday night, August 23rd. As many of you know, Tina struggled each day with pulmonary hypertension and had been in and out of the hospital all year. She was admitted Tuesday and appeared to be getting better. Saturday evening she took a turn for the worse and doctors discovered she had sepsis. She fought valiantly but when they attempted dialysis, her body gave out.

We know how much you all meant to her and filled her life with joy every day. We truly appreciate the special way each one of you brought significance and meaning to her life. No arrangements have been made at this time. We will provide updates as details are made known.

Oh, I'm in TEARS. This is so unexpected. Tina has been fighting for so long and... I thought she was going to pull out of this. I'm absolutely heartbroken. Tina's family, we loved her so much and it was a privilege to know her and share this space with her. Please keep us updated. <3

Though I was never able to meet her in person, I followed her journey for some time now and felt like I knew her at least a little. My deepest sorrow and condolences go out to Tina's family. May you all take comfort in the memories and happiness she gave to you and to others. She will be missed.

Tina will be greatly missed. She was an inspiration and a source of a unique perspective that the world much needs. I'm glad she's at peace now, and I'm grateful I got to know her. I'll be coming by to revisit favorite posts (and discover new ones) often. I wish you, her family and her close friends, much strength in this time of loss. May she live on forever in all our hearts.

Less than 13 months ago Tina wrote words of comfort on my blog after I lost my wife. May you all find a measure of comfort in the thousands that will be written here over the coming days. I pray God's grace and peace will see you through this difficult time.

This is devastating news. Tina had become such a powerful presence in my life even though I never knew her beyond the world of blogging.

My prayers and condolences go out to her family. This is a sad Sunday for me and I know for many others in the blogging world and everywhere else that Tina's spirit of giving and sense of fun had an influence.

Thank you Tina for everything you did for us and every smile you gave us.

Tina was my sister online, and I still can't believe she won't respond to my next message or call.

She was a soul full of light, a true fighter, a smiler and teller of jokes even when connected to tubes and machines that helped her breathe, so excited to know more about Singapore, from where I sent her random snapshots.

She loved all of us bloggers who were fortunate enough to be her friends, she spoke with love of her real life friends, her sister-in-law, and she absolutely adored her husband and boys. She spoke of them with so much pride, humour and love.

I can still hear her husky voice from a few weeks ago telling me how beautiful the weather was, and of the gorgeous view of the balcony from which she spoke, how good it was to be at her friend's place, and how her home was being remodelled for her return--- even though speaking made her breath go shallow and I told her so many times to just keep the phone.

I wish we could have talked more, and maybe on some level, we still can. She rested her faith in God, and spoke of the strength it gave her. May her family and friends be given strength now to bear this loss.

If I know Tina, she's watching us from above, all teary-eyed and smiling, cracking a joke at the bitter sweetness of it all, prodding us to get on with it and not be such cry-babies.

I'm utterly speechless and haven't been able to completely wrap my brain around the news. I've only known Tina online since I started blogging nearly two years ago. She was always a positive voice in my corner, especially when I started my second blog and opened up about my feelings and life issues post brain hemorrhage.

I always smiled whenever I saw a comment from her because I knew it would be positive and make my day.

To the Downey family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Tina was, and still is adored by so, so many of us in the blogging community. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless You. Eva

Tina had so many friends which is a tribute to her and her reaching out to others through her blog. We loved her posts about her family, her Swedish heritage and the year she tried to teach us all Swedish. Words cannot describe the loss of a young person, a mother, a wife, a sister, a friend. My condolences to her family.

I'm so deeply sorry to learn that we've lost a member of our blog family, and that you lost your precious Tina so suddenly.

I regret that I didn't get to know Tina better. We'd connected briefly regarding our respective battles with depression. She was incredibly sweet and hopeful.

Less than two weeks ago, she apologized for not responding more quickly to my facebook friend request. I hadn't even noticed. Her unnecessary apology was incredibly thoughtful. Though I hardly knew Tina, my sense is that she minimized her struggles so as not to - in her mind - be a burden or downer. She was remarkably selfless.

May beautiful memories lift you, Tina's loved ones, through the days, months, and years ahead. She was truly special.

I am so sad, no words express how good of a person Tina is and was. I send out my prayers to her and her wonderful family. She was more like a sister, than a friend... I am very privileged in knowing her, she will be very missed.

my thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time....I only knew her through the blogosphere but even that tiny sliver of recognition made an impact on me...know she was loved far & wide and that her words were a blessing to so many of us...

On behalf on the Designs Boutique staff we want to express our deepest condolences to the Downey family, especially Neal, Jake, and Luke. We also want to thank Tina for taking her time to very graciously helping us set up our own blog. She was a kind person who would do anything she could to help those in need, RIP.

Saying goodbye to a loved one is a sad time, but we also have the awesome opportunity to celebrate the life and gifts of one we have had the honor of knowing. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time. Write on in your new chapter, Tina!

It's been such a pleasure to know Tina over the years through blogging and one-on-one correspondence. She touched so many lives with her courageous writing and bright spirit. I will miss her dearly and she will be remembered.

Look at this awesome outpouring of support! Tina touched so many. Truly her life was good! My prayers go to her family during this difficult time. What incredible memories you retain of a remarkable woman!

I've been an erratic A-Zer but whenever I read Tina's posts her joie-de-vivre always came through and not an inkling of the medical condition she was suffering from. She will now remain in my heart as an inspiration.

Some days you receive news of loss.. This made me more sad - since I only got in touch with Tina briefly early this spring.. But we shared that Swedish connection, and I loved to read her stories, as well as receiving comments on my blog

I was in tears as I read this news on Damyanti's blog. I "met" Tina through A to Z 2013 and we have had some email exchange from the time she let me guest blog on A to Z. We had much in common.Tina was right, Life is Good. I'll keep you, her family, in my prayers.Sue

The world was a better place for her ... it is the saddest news - may her family find peace too in knowing that she is with the Lord.I give thanks for knowing her through the 2014 April A-Z blogosphere ...

To Tina's FamilyI am very sorry to hear this news. I didn't know her personally but she one of the first people who followed my blog several years ago. She was also a constant supporter to many of the blogs that I follow. Her postings often uplifting and funny. She will be greatly missed by many.

I am so sorry for your pain, but know the Lord will help you through the grief of this temporary separation. I only "met" Tina online a few months ago, but that bond in the Spirit was evident. I look forward to meeting her. My prayers are with you. God bless.

I just recently met Tina through someone else's blog. I'm so sorry to learn about her illness and death. Knowing just the little bit about her that I knew, she was a wonderful person. Keeping Tina and all of you in my thoughts and heart.

I am rendered speechless. I was aware of Tina's condition and thought her condition was improving. This is a hard blow to the community, but I consider myself lucky to have known Tina and have enjoyed her blog. Life is good, and Tina led an exemplary one. My regards to Tina's family.

My deepest condolences to Tina's family and friends. Tina was such a strong presence in our blogging community, and her voice and her support will be greatly missed. My prayers go out to all who knew and loved her.

This came as a shock to me, I'm new to the life of Tina and if I feel her loss I can only imagine how you all feel. She'll certainly be missed by the writing and blogging community whose lives she touched.

I knew Tina online but felt I knew her in person, that's how great her impact was. Such a wonderful human being, such a great spirit. I will miss hear dearly. My sympathies to her immediate and extended family.

I'm so sorry to hear this. I did not know Tina as well as a lot of others did, but I know she brought light and goodness to all those she touched in the blogging world. She will be missed. Keeping you all in my prayers.

I did not have the honour of knowing this wonderful person but from all these messages and from all the blogs i follow the outpouring of sadness but also of joy that she brought is profound. I can only be so lucky if i would receive this same honour. I would suggest, when and if you can, to look at the blogs who were her friends and read them as they truly touch the heart. It is something rare and divine

To Tina's family: I am so sorry for your loss. Tina befriended me just a few months ago...even though I haven't known her long, I can tell you that she has made an impact on me. Her kind and gentle spirit came across in her blog and her messages to me. Tina, sweet lady, rest in peace. You are in my prayers.

This is sad news, indeed. Tina was the first A to Z Challenge leader I had and she was a real nurturer. Team Tina was a wonderful start to my Challenge experience. My thoughts are with Tina's family and the rest of the blogging community who knew her.

I'm so sorry to hear this sad news. I just started following "Life is Good" with this year's A to Z and I always looked forward to reading Tina's posts. I even found out that we had a mutual friend outside of blogging! I will miss reading her stories, and I want to tell you that my thoughts and prayers are with you. I know that she will be greatly missed.

I just found out this morning. I'm still in shock about her passing. Thank you for letting us know, and my prayers are with you and Tina. I'm glad to know she won't suffer anymore, but will miss her bright spirit and easy manner very much. She brought a sense of lightness to each day. Even though I just "met" her, I will miss her very much...

My condolences. I am not sure if we ever communicated (I just joined A to Z this year), but this saddens me still.

Let us be consoled that she now rests. From what I gather from others' post and comments, she was a brave woman who lived her life meaningfully. She is a reminder that life is always worth living, no matter the circumstances.

Although, I didn't know Tina well, I'm happy that I met her through the incredible platform of blogging. You just never know when you'll stumble upon someone amazing, like Tina on this super highway. My prayers are with the Downey family & friends. May God's presence fill you peace and assurance in Tina's absences in this life.

My deepest condolences. I didn't get to visit Tina's blog very often but each time she had something worth reading and sometimes very unique stories I couldn't read elsewhere. I am so sorry she is gone but glad for the time she spent on earth and that she took time out to blog so I could meet her online.

My deepest condolences. I didn't get to visit Tina's blog very often but each time she had something worth reading and sometimes very unique stories I couldn't read elsewhere. I am so sorry she is gone but glad for the time she spent on earth and that she took time out to blog so I could meet her online.

So sad to hear the sudden demise of our friend Tina. Our condolences to Engineer and kids and also to the other bereaved family members. She was indeed a lovely friend to me and my family. We had a good rapport with Tina since 2012 and in the year 2013 I was in her team as an Ambassador to A to Z Blog Challenge 2013. Her special guidance and encouraging words are really worth remembering. May her soul rest in peace. In fact I lost a sweet friend from the ocean of blogsphere. Our love and regards and prayer to Engineer and kids.May God console them.~ Phil & Family from Secunderabad, India. (Team member of Tina's Terrific Team -A t0 Z Blog Challenge 2013)May Sep. 8 be a great remembrance day.~ Phil

My heartfelt prayers go out to all of you. I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you. I thank you for sharing Tina with all of us. She will truly be missed. Her optimism was contagious. Hugs to you all.

I would have liked to have met Tina. I call Tina my friend, even though we never actually met, in person, in the same room. We just wrote and "talked" through comments on our blogs and on blog hops.

Tina was special. We shared our thoughts on all kinds of things, but especially about Sweden and our two languages, Swedish and English.

I can't imagine what this must be like for you, her family. I pray for you and my heart goes out to you. I only just found out now and I am frankly still a little shocked. I did not understand how poorly she had become this last year.

i've thought of her several times since hearing of this loss, and it is most assuredly a loss. she was a lovely friend, steadfast and loyal and loving. and so good.

i never met her in person, but she was a most loyal picky (my blog) reader and poster, and we had some very nice email exchanges. she was a very good friend to me. i knew she was sick... i just hadn't realized how sick, i guess. i should've been a better friend to her. i will miss her commentary. i will miss her.